Semarang — Histories
How Semarang came to be, in a short timeline, plus the buildings and monuments where you can still see it.
Timeline
- 1405Pre-colonial
Admiral Cheng Ho reaches Java
The first voyage of the Chinese admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He) reaches Java in 1405. Semarang still marks his arrival with a yearly procession from Klenteng Tay Kak Sie to Sam Poo Kong in Simongan; 2026 saw the 621st.
- 2 May 1547Pre-colonial
Pandan Arang becomes Semarang's first regent
Sultan Hadiwijaya of Pajang names Ki Ageng Pandan Arang the first bupati of Semarang, raising the coastal settlement to a regency. The city celebrates 2 May as its birthday.
- 15 Jan 1678Colonial
Mataram pawns Semarang to the VOC
Amangkurat II of Mataram pledges Semarang to the Dutch East India Company to pay his debts. Pakubuwono I hands it over for good in 1705, and the walled Dutch town that becomes Kota Lama grows up.
See: Kota Lama Semarang - 1753Colonial
Gereja Blenduk is founded
A Protestant church rises in the Dutch quarter, the oldest church in Central Java. It is rebuilt in 1787, and the copper dome that gives it its Javanese name is added in 1894.
See: Kota Lama Semarang - 1885–1895Colonial
The flood canals are dug
The colonial government canalises the Garang River as the Banjir Kanal Barat (finished 1885), then cuts the Banjir Kanal Timur (1895), among the first flood canals in the Indies. Both still drain the city.
- 1904–1919Colonial
Lawang Sewu is built for the railway
Work starts on the head office of the Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij, the Indies' first railway company. Building A is finished in 1907 and the whole complex in 1919.
See: Lawang Sewu - 15–19 Oct 1945Revolution
The Battle of Five Days
Semarang's youth fight a Japanese battalion under Major Kido for five days. Tugu Muda, unveiled by Sukarno on 20 May 1953 beside Lawang Sewu, stands where the fighting took place.
- 14 Nov 2006Modern
The Great Mosque of Central Java opens
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dedicates the provincial mosque on 10 ha of waqf land in Gayamsari, four years after construction began, with its 99-m Asmaul Husna tower.
- 30 Dec 2019Modern
Kota Lama is revitalised
President Jokowi inspects nearly 20 ha of Kota Lama after two years of restoration work, together with the rebuilding of Pasar Johar.
See: Kota Lama Semarang - 5 Jan 2022Modern
Pasar Johar reopens after the fire
Thomas Karsten's 1930s market, gutted by fire in 2015, reopens after rebuilding by the Ministry of Public Works, with room for 1,133 traders in its north and central halls.
- 31 Jul 2026Modern
Tawang Station is restored
President Prabowo inaugurates the 330-day restoration of Semarang Tawang, the 1911 NIS station beside Kota Lama, returning its facade, dome and main hall to their original form.
- Oct 2026Modern
The sea-wall toll road nears completion
Section 1 of the Semarang–Demak toll road, built as a sea wall against tidal flooding (rob), reaches 79.42% complete on 22 October 2026; full completion is targeted for late 2027.
Heritage sites
Kota Lama Semarang
Dutch-era Semarang around domed Gereja Blenduk (1753) and Taman Srigunting: about 32 ha of colonial streets, free to wander.
Colonial landmark & museum2Lawang Sewu
The 'thousand doors' head office built from 1904 for the Indies' first railway company, now a KAI museum facing Tugu Muda.
Chinese temple complex3Klenteng Sam Poo Kong
Semarang's oldest Chinese temple, built where Admiral Cheng Ho is said to have prayed in a cave in the early 1400s.
Mosque4Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah
Central Java's grand mosque, dedicated in 2006, with Medina-style giant umbrellas and the 99-m Asmaul Husna tower.
Monument & military museum5Tugu Muda & Museum Mandala Bhakti
The candle-shaped memorial to the October 1945 Battle of Five Days, ringed by Lawang Sewu, Museum Mandala Bhakti and the cathedral.
Chinese temple6Klenteng Tay Kak Sie
A Pecinan temple founded in 1746 for Kwan Im on Gang Lombok, starting point of the yearly Cheng Ho procession to Sam Poo Kong.
Buddhist temple & pagoda7Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong
A Buddhist temple founded in 1955 whose 45-m Pagoda Avalokitesvara, opened in 2005, is billed as the tallest pagoda in Indonesia.
Historic mosque8Masjid Kauman Semarang
The city's oldest mosque, dated by its gate inscription to 1749, where independence was announced at Friday prayers in August 1945.